Aker Yards has inked a contract with Stena Rederi AB in Gothenburg (Sweden) for two 62,000 gt Super Ferries. Deliveries are scheduled for the first and third quarter of 2010. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 400 million (about $511 million). The contract includes options for two further vessels of the same type.

Aker Yards says the basic design of these special ferries will take place in Finland and the building in Germany.

Aker's yards in Finland and France, which traditionally serve the ferry business, were fully booked for the delivery dates requested by Stena.

Aker Yards with its17 yards cooperating across borders had the possibility to offer building of the ferries in Germany.

Aker Yards, Germany has experience in building passenger ships and roro ferries, and the designer, Aker Yards, Rauma has experience in designing and building of passenger and car ferries for more than 20 years.

The 62,000 GT ships will each be 240 m long and 32 m wide with a passenger capacity of 1,200. Each will provide 5,500 m of trailer lanes and 700 m of car lanes.

With a main engine output of 4 x 8,000 kW (4-stroke diesel engines) they will reach a service speed of 22 knots.